Pandas Increases Tensions In Belgium

Denis Foynes – China’s Panda Diplomacy program has sparked a political rift in Belgium being coined “Pandagate”.

The dispute has been drawn down the country’s linguistic and political divide between northern Flemish-speaking Flanders and southern French-speaking Wallonia.

It started when it was revealed that the two bear’s on loan from China would go to a private zoo in the French-speaking region of the country.

Beijing offered the bears to Belgium during a visit from the country’s French speaking Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo.

The decision has left the Dutch-speaking region of the country disappointed, especially the overlooked historic zoo in Antwerp. “All in all we are rather surprised that the prime minister did not think of us,” a spokesman from the 170 year old zoo stated. “We should have been able to count on the support of the prime minister,” he added.

The four-year-old male and female pandas, Xinhui and Haohao, will be on loan in the country for 15 years and will arrive in spring 2014.

Comments

Denis Foynes was born in New York City to Irish parents in 1991. When he was 8, his family returned to Celtic Tiger Ireland. Denis has an International Politics degree from Aberystwyth University in Wales. After completing university, he decided to leave crisis Ireland and relocate to Panama.

A world full of fun, adventure, and profit awaits! Sign up for our free daily e-letter, Overseas Opportunity Letter, and we'll send you a FREE report on the 10 Best Places To Retire In Style Overseas Today.

Sign up for our free daily e-letter, Overseas Opportunity Letter, and we’ll immediately send you a free report on the 10 BEST PLACES TO RETIRE in style overseas. Each day you’ll learn about the best opportunities for international living, retiring overseas, offshore diversification and asset protection, and investing in real estate around the world.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.